Our Voice: Time for multi-pronged public nutrition, fitness crusade to get handle on obesity epidemic

When First Lady Michelle Obama launched her “Let’s Move” campaign last year, it wasn’t a moment too soon.

As a nation, we’re fat and getting fatter. As a state, Michigan is right up there with the heaviest of them all.

According to a recently released report, Michigan ranks 10th in the country for its obesity rate. It is one of 12 states with obesity rates that top 30 percent.

Add in the other 30 percent of Michigan residents who are considered “overweight,” according to the F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America’s Future 2011 report and we’re really tipping the scales here.

It’s past time we went on a diet, learned how to eat sensibly and started to exercise.

Public schools, health care professionals and government assistance programs all can and must do their part to help.

It’s especially important that we educate our children about how to make healthy lifestyle choices, because more and more of them are fat and, as a result, suffering from a host of diseases and health conditions normally only found in adults.

Childhood obesity has tripled in the last decade, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Right now, one in three children can be classified as obese or overweight, and, at the rate we’re going, experts say that by 2020, about 15 million American children will be considered obese, and one-third to one-half of all children born in the 21st century will become diabetics.

Back in 2008, state and national health experts already were predicting that, for the first time in a century, the lifespan of American children may not be as long as their parents’ as a result of obesity.

That prediction must not be allowed to come true.

In addition to the personal costs, imagine the impact obesity will have on our health care costs if it does.

Already, poor diets and sedentary lifestyles are considered the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Tobacco use is first and efforts nationwide have seen the number of smokers declining.

Let’s build on “Let’s Move.” Let’s attack obesity from all sides in a multi-pronged approach.

Forget fad diets, diet pills and bariatric surgery, all of which can be expensive and potentially dangerous.

Instead, let’s concentrate our efforts on portion control and eating balanced meals; restoring gym classes and recess to schools; and educating those receiving food stamps about the options available to them.

For instance, food stamp are accepted at farmers markets, where fresh fruit and vegetables are abundant.

Let’s also ensure more kids stay in school and go on to college. The higher the level of education, the less likely people are to be overweight.

Already, efforts are under way to make it easier to read and understand nutrition labels on food, remove vending machines that offer sodas and other sugary drinks and treats from schools, and improve the offerings in school cafeterias.

A federal law passed in December reduces the number of calories in school meals and requires schools to offer an array of fruits and vegetables beyond the usual corn and potatoes.

A good thing, since a study of more than 1,000 Michigan sixth-graders in southeastern Michigan schools found those who regularly dined on cafeteria fare were 29 percent more likely to be obese than those who brown-bagged it.

Ultimately, individuals and especially parents have the greatest role to play. Bypass the fast-food drive-thru, turn down that second helping, turn off the television, step away from the computer, go outside and toss the ball around with your kids.

You don’t need to join a gym. Go for a walk or, if your neighborhood isn’t a safe one, turn on the radio and dance around in your living room.

“Let’s Move.”

And let’s work together so that the obesity epidemic doesn’t continue to spread.